Bolts Ink 2011 1st Round Pick

TAMPA BAY â€“ The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed forward Vladislav Namestnikov[7] to a three-year, entry level contract, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced today.

Namestnikov, 19, has played in 60 games with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League this season, recording 22 goals and 70 points to go along with 50 penalty minutes. The 5-foot-11, 171-pound forward ranks eighth in the OHL and leads the Knights in assists with 48, and is third on the team in points. Namestnikov has recorded 14 multi-assist games so far this season with London, including two occasions in which he has recorded four assist contests.

The Voskresensk, Russia native has skated in 128 career games with the Knights over the past two seasons, registering 52 goals and 139 points, to go along with a +29 rating. Namestnikov appeared in six OHL playoff games last year with the Knights, recording one goal and five points.

The Lightning selected Namestnikov in the first round, 27th overall, at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.